Team Leader - Social Work

Barnardos Aotearoa; Auckland; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development

Flexible work arrangements

SWRB registration fees covered

Discounted childcare

Supportive team environment

Job summary

Barnardos Aotearoa in Māngere invites an experienced social work leader to establish and grow an innovative, whānau-centred service model. You will guide a multidisciplinary team across social work, therapy, early learning and community services to improve outcomes for tamariki and whānau.

Lead practice development, staff capability, partnerships with Māori, Pacific and diverse communities, and ensure services respond to strengths and needs.

Qualifications

• Registered social worker or holder of a recognised qualification under Section 13 of the Social Workers Registration Act 2003.
• Demonstrated experience with tamariki, whānau and vulnerable communities.
• Experience providing high-quality professional social work supervision.
• Leadership experience including coaching, mentoring and developing others.
• Strong understanding of social work theories, frameworks and evidence-informed practice.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for a newly established multidisciplinary team delivering integrated services to tamariki and whānau.
• Offer professional supervision, coaching and leadership to social work staff.
• Foster collaboration and shared practice across disciplines.
• Oversee caseloads, workload management and staff wellbeing.
• Ensure quality practice standards, contractual and legislative obligations are met.

Skills

Leadership experience

Supervision

Relationship-building

Stakeholder engagement

Decision-making

Written & verbal communication

Computer literacy

Driving licence

Education

Registered social worker OR Section 13 qualification (Social Workers Registration Act 2003)

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Are you an experienced social work leader who is passionate about supporting tamariki and whānau and excited by the opportunity to build something new?

We have an exciting opportunity to lead and help shape a newly established multidisciplinary team delivering innovative, whānau-centred support for tamariki and whānau in Māngere. Working within Te Korowai Mokopuna, you will lead a team that brings together social work, therapeutic, early learning and community-based services to provide coordinated, holistic support that improves outcomes for children and families.

This is a unique opportunity to help establish and grow an innovative service model from the ground up, while leading a passionate team committed to making a lasting difference in the lives of tamariki and whānau

• Opportunity to help establish and grow an innovative new service
• Lead a passionate and supportive multidisciplinary team
• Shape practice, culture and service delivery from the ground up
• Join a trusted, purpose-led organisation creating lasting impact for tamariki and whānau

This permanent full-time role is 40 hours per week and is based in Māngere.

About The Role

As Team Leader, you will provide leadership for a newly established multidisciplinary team delivering integrated support through Te Korowai Mokopuna. While providing professional leadership and supervision to social work staff, you will also lead the wider multidisciplinary team, fostering collaboration across social work, therapeutic, early learning and community-based services.

You will be responsible for creating a high-performing team culture where different disciplines work together to deliver coordinated, trauma-informed, culturally responsive and whānau-centred support. Working closely with staff, community partners and stakeholders, you will ensure tamariki and whānau receive seamless services that respond to their strengths, needs and aspirations.

This role offers the opportunity to shape practice, develop staff capability, strengthen community partnerships and contribute to the ongoing development of an innovative service model that brings multiple areas of expertise together around the needs of children and families.

As a leader, you will inspire your team to achieve Barnardos' vision and strategic goals while role modelling our values of Kotahitanga, Māiatanga, Mahi Tōtika, Kaikōkiritanga and Āta Whakarongo.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Practice

• Lead and develop a multidisciplinary team delivering integrated services to tamariki and whānau.
• Provide professional supervision, coaching and leadership to social work staff.
• Foster collaboration, communication and shared practice across disciplines.
• Support staff capability in assessment, planning, intervention and reflective practice.
• Allocate and oversee caseloads and workload management.
• Ensure quality practice standards, contractual requirements and legislative obligations are met.
• Support staff wellbeing, engagement and performance development

Service Delivery and Innovation

• Lead integrated assessment, planning and review processes across social work, therapeutic and early learning disciplines
• Ensure whānau voice, aspirations and decision-making remain central to service delivery
• Support the implementation and ongoing development of the Te Korowai Mokopuna model
• Utilise data, evaluation findings and whānau feedback to drive continuous service improvement
• Ensure accurate reporting, documentation and outcome measurement requirements are met

Relationships and Community Engagement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with whānau, community partners, local stakeholders and agencies
• Foster collaborative partnerships across Barnardos teams and external organisations
• Support the operation and development of "The Space" as a safe, welcoming and effective community hub
• Strengthen partnerships with Māori, Pacific and diverse communities across Māngere and wider South Auckland

About You

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

Essential

• A registered social worker OR be the holder of a recognised qualification under Section 13 of the Social Workers Registration Act 2003
• Significant experience working with tamariki, whānau and vulnerable communities
• Experience providing high-quality professional social work supervision
• Leadership experience, including the ability to coach, mentor and develop others
• Strong understanding of social work theories, frameworks and evidence-informed practice
• Excellent relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills
• Sound judgement, decision-making and risk management capability
• Strong written, verbal and computer literacy skills
• Full clean New Zealand driver's licence

Highly Valued

• Demonstrated understanding of the Māngere community and experience working alongside Māori, Pacific and diverse communities within South Auckland
• Experience working within multidisciplinary service environments
• Knowledge of trauma-informed and attachment-based practice approaches
• Experience working alongside Māori, Pacific and culturally diverse communities
• Understanding of whānau-centred practice and Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles
• Experience leading change, service development or innovation initiatives

Embody Our Values

• Kotahitanga (unity): Cultivate a sense of belonging through meaningful relationships with tamariki, rangatahi, colleagues, and the wider community
• Mahi tōtika (excellence): Demonstrate unwavering integrity and purpose in all aspects of your work, striving for the highest standards of care
• Kaikōkiritanga (innovation): Drive positive change with creativity, constantly seeking new and effective ways to support tamariki and rangatahi
• Āta whakarongo (active listening): Let tamariki and rangatahi voices shape your approach, ensuring their perspectives are central to decision‑making
• Māiatanga (empowerment): Nurture growth and unlock potential in tamariki, rangatahi, and colleagues, fostering a culture of continuous learning and development

Why Choose Barnardos?

• Be at the forefront of trauma-responsive youth care in New Zealand, contributing to groundbreaking programs
• Join a respected NGO with over 55 years of impact in child welfare and advocacy
• Access ongoing professional development opportunities, including specialised training in trauma-informed practices and the latest youth care methodologies
• SWRB fees covered, supporting your continued professional registration
• Enjoy family-friendly policies, including flexible work arrangements where possible
• Benefit from discounted childcare at Barnardos Early Learning centres
• Competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications
• Supportive team environment with regular supervision and peer support
• Opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of tamariki and whānau across South Auckland

About Barnardos Aotearoa

Barnardos Aotearoa is a children’s charity working with tamariki and whānau to ensure every child in Aotearoa has the opportunity to thrive, no matter their circumstances. Our unique combination of social services, early learning, care services and counselling helpline provides the broadest range of child and whānau-centred services in Aotearoa.